The Crown Prince of France - Chapter 18

Chapter 18: Lamarck's Shock

Lamarck immediately took a small knife and a copper basin out of his suitcase and said to Perna, "Prepare to bleed the Crown Prince."

Joseph firmly objected, "No! I strictly forbid you to perform bloodletting..."

Lamarck, observing his weakened state, replied solemnly, "Your Highness, I must do this. A prolonged fever can have serious consequences!"

Joseph struggled to reach for his curved blade, but Lamarck added, "If you refuse treatment, I will report this matter to Her Majesty the Queen."

Joseph felt a headache coming on as he pondered how to convince this stubborn man when Larsen entered the room holding a glass bottle.

"Your Highness, here is what you requested." Larsen seemed a bit uneasy as he handed over the bottle and mumbled, "It might be... not entirely purified..."

Joseph looked at the bottle's gray, viscous contents, opened the lid, and immediately smelled a strong alcohol scent. He smiled bitterly—this was far from "slightly" impure. Nonetheless, he reassured the doctor, "This is your first attempt, and it is already very good. Thank you."

Joseph was about to consume the salicin extract when a thought struck him. He turned to Lamarck and asked, "Mr. Lamarck, if I accept your bloodletting treatment, how long will it take for the fever to subside?"

Lamarck considered briefly and said, "Perhaps by tonight, or by tomorrow morning."

Joseph lifted the glass bottle and said, "Using my prepared medicine, I can reduce the fever in one hour."

Lamarck felt his professional dignity challenged and immediately shook his head. "Your Highness, your pneumonia is not yet under control. Among all the medications I know, none can reduce a fever this quickly."

He was a member of the French Academy of Sciences, a renowned biologist and pharmacologist in Europe, and the earliest proponent of the theories of "biological evolution" and "natural selection." As one of France's top physicians, he spoke with utmost confidence.

Joseph smiled wearily. "Then let us make a bet. If I reduce the fever within an hour, you will not be allowed to bleed me in the future."

Lamarck paused, then nodded confidently. "Very well, Your Highness. If your medicine is not effective, you will no longer refuse any treatment from your physicians."

"Deal!"

Joseph poured out a spoonful of the salicin extract and swallowed it. The taste was bitter, with a strong alcoholic sting that made him gag.

Lamarck dutifully took out his pocket watch and gestured to Joseph. "Your Highness, it is now 4:21 PM."

Joseph nodded. He had planned to rest, but with three people—including a young woman—standing by his bedside, he felt uncomfortable and decided instead to discuss salicin purification with Larsen.

Hearing that the medicine was made from willow bark, Lamarck shook his head privately. The British had studied the medicinal properties of willow bark over a decade ago, and while it had antipyretic effects, it required several days of continuous use to be effective.

Moreover, it was harsh on the stomach, and many people abandoned it due to severe stomach pain before experiencing any fever relief.

Nevertheless, he was impressed by the Crown Prince's theoretical knowledge of experimentation, far superior to that of his own students. If the Crown Prince dedicated himself to pharmacology or experimental science, he would undoubtedly achieve great success.

In truth, Joseph's knowledge was rudimentary, having picked up a few basics from a chemistry major in his university dormitory. But in the eighteenth century, this was considered extremely advanced.

"So, lowering the temperature faster can be achieved through precipitation..."

Joseph was speaking when he suddenly stopped, rubbed his forehead, and smiled at Lamarck. "Mr. Lamarck, I believe my fever has already subsided."

Lamarck, who had been listening intently to Joseph's explanation, almost forgot about the bet. He quickly checked his pocket watch—it was 4:58 PM, just 37 minutes since Joseph took the medicine.

He turned to Joseph and noticed a clarity in his eyes. Lamarck quickly approached, placed a hand on Joseph's forehead, and confirmed it was no longer hot.

"Perna, the thermometer."

Lamarck took the thermometer, placed it in Joseph's mouth, and waited. After retrieving it, he stared at the reading in disbelief.

36.8 degrees Celsius! His temperature was back to normal!

"This... how is this possible?!" he muttered in shock. Suddenly, he grabbed Joseph's shoulders excitedly. "Your Highness, was what you drank truly willow bark extract?"

Joseph smiled and nodded.

"I never imagined the purified version would be so effective!" Lamarck's eyes sparkled. "Your Highness, if the effects are stable, this could be a revolutionary medication! May I attempt to produce it?"

"Of course. Mr. Larsen can provide the specific procedures."

"I cannot express my gratitude enough!" Lamarck bowed deeply to Joseph and hurriedly pulled out his notebook to consult with Larsen. Before leaving, he turned back and asked, "Your Highness, did you invent this medicine?"

Joseph paused, then casually replied, "Ah, it must have been an inspiration from the Lord."

Oh, my Lord! Lamarck was stunned. Could the Crown Prince truly be divinely favored? To conceive such a medicine in a mere flash of inspiration!

But as a rigorous scientist, Lamarck felt the need for extensive experiments to verify its efficacy. Energized by this thought, he pulled Larsen toward the alchemy lab, leaving behind a parting instruction: "Perna, keep a close watch on His Highness' condition and report any changes immediately."

"Yes, Doctor."

...

Two days later.

With the salicin treatment, Joseph's condition had stabilized. Although he still coughed occasionally, he had not experienced another fever.

When he stepped through the gilded doors of the East Wing conference hall at Versailles, it was not yet nine o'clock, leaving a few minutes before the cabinet meeting was to begin.

The other cabinet ministers were already present. Upon seeing the Crown Prince enter, they all rose to greet him.

Count Morneau, the Minister of the Interior, approached Joseph with a broad smile and whispered, "Thank you, Your Highness. The decree to deal with Guizot was issued yesterday, without mentioning inciting rebellion."

Joseph smiled and gestured for him to sit. During lunch yesterday, he had mentioned to the Queen that all blame should be placed solely on Guizot. A formal report was subsequently issued, effectively concluding the matter.

Though Joseph suspected there might be more to Guizot's case, it likely had nothing to do with Morneau. Once his intelligence agency was established, investigating this would be its first task.

Morneau suddenly stood, spread his arms, and announced to everyone, "The police reforms led by the Crown Prince have achieved remarkable success. As we all know, the criminals in the Saint-Antoine District have been nearly eradicated! His Highness is truly worthy of the title 'God's favored son!' Let us all congratulate His Highness!"

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